§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his plans to consider the wheel clamping of vehicles in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Appeal Court judgment of 12 June 1992 determined that wheel-clamping a vehicle on private land and demanding money for its release is a crime. There are statutory provisions which would authorise the police and parking attendants to clamp vehicles illegally parked on public roads. The power in relation to the police is exercisable by statutory instrument made by the Secretary of State at the request of a regional or islands council. The power has not so far been exercised in Scotland. The power in respect of parking attendants will not be brought into force until the operation of similar powers in London has been evaluated.